A number of protestors remained in Gosport last night (September 22) despite confirmation that migrants rescued in the Channel earlier today will not be arriving.
Police have said a small boat of migrants which was thought to be on its way to Gosport has left the area.
The update comes after the Home Office has previously confirmed that it is “increasingly likely” that migrants collected from a small boat in the Channel would be arriving in Gosport, prompting protesters to gather.
British rescue boats were sent to collect the passengers of a migrant dinghy which spent around 30 hours at sea. The boat left the Normandy coast on Monday morning with the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency confirming the migrants will be transferred to Border Security Command.
A Hampshire Police statement said: “We have been working with partner agencies today, following a report of a small boat crossing in the English Channel.
“We know how these incidents can impact local communities. As a precaution, we deployed officers to Gosport and Portsmouth this afternoon to support our partners in the event of any emergency at sea, to facilitate any peaceful protest and ensure the safety of the public.
“We have been in contact with our partners including the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Border Security Command throughout the day. The boat and those on board are no longer in our force area.
“We know a small number of people have been following proceedings today and have come out to Gosport and Portsmouth.
“As we start to stand down the police operation, please be assured that officers will remain in those areas this evening while people leave the area and to maintain public safety.
“Thank you for your patience while we have been dealing with this and sorry for any inconvenience it has caused.”
Police later confirmed there were six arrests, with all still in custody.
The statement comes after Caroline Dinenage, the MP from Gosport, shared a message sent from the government department seemingly confirming that the migrants will be dropped off in Gosport before being transferred to Kent.
The MP has updated the situation stating that she been told that Border Force is taking those on board an intercepted small boat in the Channel “to Dover by water”.
In a post on her Facebook page, Conservative MP Dame Caroline Dinenage said: “I have just had confirmation that Border Force has intercepted the small boat that was reported as crossing the Channel earlier today and is now taking those on board to Dover by water.
“This is a good result. All day I have been making the case to the Home Office that this boat should not disembark in Gosport.
“Gosport Borough Council Leader Cllr Zoe Huggins BEM, Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones for Mayor, and I have been united and clear in our message that Gosport and Portsmouth Harbour are not suitable for small boat arrivals.”
Find pictures from the scene below:
1. Gosport protest
Police and protesters in Gosport, Hampshire after police closed off the access road to Haslar Marina, after British rescue boats have been sent to collect the passengers of a migrant dinghy which has spent around 30 hours at sea. Picture: Trevor Adams/PA Wire | Trevor Adams/PA Wire
2. Gosport protest
Police and protesters in Gosport after police closed off the access road to Haslar Marina, after British rescue boats have been sent to collect the passengers of a migrant dinghy which has spent around 30 hours at sea. Photo: Trevor Adams/PA Wire | Trevor Adams/PA Wire
3. Gosport migrant protest
Protestors remain on site despite confirmation that migrants were no longer arriving. | Lottie Keen
4. Gosport protest
A person is led away by police during a protest in Gosport, after police closed off the access road to Haslar Marina, after British rescue boats have been sent to collect the passengers of a migrant dinghy which has spent around 30 hours at sea. Photo: Trevor Adams/PA Wire | Trevor Adams/PA Wire